Ursula K. Le Guin Three Ounce Forever Stamps

Stamp Category: Commemorative
Series: Literary Arts
Value: $1.16 – Three-Ounce Mail Rate
First Day of Issue: July 27, 2021
First Day City: Portland, Oregon
Printed by: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd.
Format: Pane of 20

The United States Postal Service honors acclaimed American author Ursula Kroeber Le Guin (October 21, 1929 – January 22, 2018) with this Literary Arts series stamp. Renowned for her groundbreaking contributions to literature, Le Guin wrote across genres — including science fiction, fantasy, poetry, children’s books, short stories, translations, and literary criticism.

Born in Berkeley, California, to author Theodora Kroeber and anthropologist Alfred Louis Kroeber, Le Guin grew up immersed in storytelling, mythology, and scholarship. Her early fascination with science fiction and fantasy shaped a career that challenged conventions and expanded the boundaries of speculative fiction.

Le Guin’s literary breakthrough came with A Wizard of Earthsea (1968), followed by The Left Hand of Darkness (1969), the latter earning both the Hugo and Nebula awards for Best Novel — making her the first woman to receive both honors.

Throughout her career, Le Guin stood apart for addressing profound social themes — including race, gender, power, and identity — with remarkable imagination and insight. Her visionary works not only captivated readers but reshaped modern speculative fiction, securing her legacy among America’s literary greats.